Dreams No Mortal Ever Dreamed Before

I am such a weak person, being so excited to share my work with you all. I sincerely wanted to let you wait till tomorrow but alas, here is the conclusion to my cliffhanger. Even if it does not really answer that many questions...

madamdragon: And the drama just started, so I guess you are going to like the next chapters.

Thanks for all your lovely reviews, I am glad you are liking this story.


25. Weak and raw


“Severus, you need to take a shower, eat something and get rest,” Dumbledore said somewhere above Harry.


Everything hurt, not only his side but the rest of his body as well.


“I am fine Albus,” Snape replied while Harry felt his hand on his arm, caressing it gently.


Dumbledore huffed. “No you are not and I understand you, I truly do but you will not help Harry by starving at his bed.”


“I ate a sandwich this morning,” Snape muttered under his breath obviously pissed.


Harry could imagine his face now set into an irritated scowl and his lips slightly curled with disdain. It was the same face Harry had seen so many times during his years at Hogwarts.


“That was yesterday my boy,” Dumbledore said with a sigh sitting down on the edge of Harry's bed, one of his hands cupping the young wizard's cheek. “He looks so peaceful, has done the last weeks. Maybe it is for the better if he never wakes up,the damage done was just too severe-”


Snape growled. “Stop it, he is going to wake up and will be fine,” he insisted.


“Even after all this time you still believe in that Severus, which is commendable but the fact is that he has been in that state for so long that you should consider the possibility of letting him go.”


“Surely not,” Snape replied anger in his voice. “I do not care how long it takes, or how many years I have to sit here, he is going to wake up and accept his blasted medal of Merlin first degree. I will not accept anything else.”


Harry could hear the sound of somebody pouring something to drink and then it was quiet for a while until Dumbledore brushed some stray hairs out of Harry's face.


“Maybe he will one day but what if he does not? Are you going to sit here and die together with him?”


Snape snorted. “I am his potion master, it is my duty to sit here and observe his recovery. There could be complications with one of the nourishing potions or some of the pain relieve salves could react with each other.”


“Severus, you are as stubborn as a mule. Everybody else has moved on and before you say something, nobody has forgotten the boy but they understand he would not want for them to cease living their lives.”


“Fine with them, I disagree,” Snape spat and the scraping of a chair indicated that he had stood up. Steps could be heard and then Harry felt a wet cloth as it wiped over his face and then a salve was applied to his lips. “We would not want your lips to inflame again like last week Potter, now do we?” Snape sounded so tender, so without any venom that Harry wondered if maybe it was somebody else.


For the life of him Harry could not open his eyes or move any part of his body and he began to panic. His breathing sped up and Snape huffed.


“Now see what you have done- the boy is clearly upset.”


He needed to make them see that he was in here, that he just could not move or say anything but as much as he fought, it was futile. A tear of frustration was forming in one eye and slowly running down his chin to settle on Snape's palm.


“Albus, go get a doctor, I think he is waking up,” Snape demanded and then he was hovering above Harry, prodding him.


“Potter, are you in there? Can you hear me?” His cool breath touched Harry's cheeks and he felt more tears joining the first one.


“What is the matter?” a foreign voice asked as he stormed into the room.


“He is waking up you fool.” Snape spat.


Somebody else began to examine his body prodding it in many places while Snape whispered next to Harry's ear.


“Potter, calm yourself. There are several potions in your body that prevent you from moving or talking but we will give you an antidote now. Just try to be patient.” Raw lips just barely brushed his forehead hushing him.


He felt his head being lifted and a vial was put against his lips, the bitter potion burning down his throat. He was placed back onto his pillow, one hand still caressing his arm.


“Now we have to wait,” the doctor said with a sigh. “He should be able to communicate in a couple of minutes.”


Slowly he began to see blurry shapes above him and a bit of light from the right. Something dressed in a scarlet robe must have been Dumbledore, only he would wear something like this in broad daylight.


There was a shape next to him, smaller and a little chubby which very likely was a mediwizard and when he could move his head, there next to his bed sat a tall form with long black hair.


Snape.


He wanted to say something but all that came out was a gurgling of some kind with his voice raw and strained.


“You need to get used to talking again Potter,” Snape said one hand brushing over Harry's cheek. “Give it some time until you can bombard us with a million questions. We should treasure the little time of silence we have left.”


Harry wanted to smile but he had no idea if the muscles in his face were moving in the intended way, maybe he was just pulling a funny face.


Feeling returned to his arms and the shapes above him became clear forms and he could see Snape for the first.


His face was as pale as ever and there were some lines that had not been there before the last battle. His black hair was a little longer and tied back, Harry's favourite style.


He was thin from what Harry could tell under his black robes and looked as if he had not slept in days.


“Welcome back Potter,” he softly said and Harry felt him taking his hand, entwining their fingers.


“Thanks,” Harry replied, his voice still sounding weak and raw but at least he was able to form words. Turning his head he saw Dumbledore who had one of those mad smiles on his face, his blue eyes twinkling merrily.


“Harry, how are you feeling?” he answered.


“Great.” Single words seemed to work so for the time being Harry would stick to them.


The old wizard gently took his other hand and brought it to his mouth, giving it a soft kiss.


“It is wonderful to hear your voice after all this time.”


Harry frowned. “Time?”


Before something else could be said the mediwizard interrupted with a professional smile on his face.


“I am sorry but Mr Potter needs some rest, we can answer all his questions later. Only one visitor at a time please.”


Dumbledore nodded and rose from the bed.


“There are many people who will rejoice upon hearing you have woken up. I will visit you again later my boy.”


With one last smile he walked out of the room leaving the other three occupants to themselves.


The mediwizards glared at Snape. “Would there be any use if I told you to leave Mr Potter alone for a while?”


“No,” Snape grunted.


The mediwizard huffed but nevertheless he left the room, the door closing behind him.


Harry turned to Snape wanting to ask a thousand questions but the potion master pressed one finger to his lips.


“Hush, you do not want for Dr Dribble to kick me out of here?” When Harry shook his head he smiled. “We have plenty of time for that later, now I want you to close your eyes and rest a bit.”


Feeling exhausted indeed Harry closed his eyes and with his his fingers entwined with Snape's he drifted into a slumber.